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The Effects of Lunar Dust on EVA Systems During the Apollo MissionsMission documents from the six Apollo missions that landed on the lunar surface have been studied in order to catalog the effects of lunar dust on Extra-Vehicular Activity (EVA) systems, primarily the Apollo surface space suit. It was found that the effects could be sorted into nine categories: vision obscuration, false instrument readings, dust coating and contamination, loss of traction, clogging of mechanisms, abrasion, thermal control problems, seal failures, and inhalation and irritation. Although simple dust mitigation measures were sufficient to mitigate some of the problems (i.e., loss of traction) it was found that these measures were ineffective to mitigate many of the more serious problems (i.e., clogging, abrasion, diminished heat rejection). The severity of the dust problems were consistently underestimated by ground tests, indicating a need to develop better simulation facilities and procedures.
Document ID
20070021819
Acquisition Source
Glenn Research Center
Document Type
Technical Memorandum (TM)
Authors
Gaier, James R.
(NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Date Acquired
August 23, 2013
Publication Date
April 1, 2007
Subject Category
Space Transportation And Safety
Report/Patent Number
NASA/TM-2005-213610/REV1
E-15071-1/REV1
Funding Number(s)
WBS: WBS 22-614-30-02-02
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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